Page 23 - Feasibility Study of New Media Technology on Constructing Online Public Sphere

Chapter 1. Introduction

ment’s attitudes and reactions in coping massive online events through empirical evi-

dence.
In short, the significance of my research questions is to unveil how government
and public interact under the special social and political environment in China, and the
role media plays in this relationship. The answers to these questions are conducive in
understanding China’s ‘special democratic’ system, which is very different from the

United States and European countries. It is also meaningful in clarifying the patterns of
public participation under the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

1.3 Introduction of methodology

To examine the relationships between the three elements in the ‘government-me-
dia-public’ theoretical framework of this book, three research methods have been used:
questionnaire survey, semi-structured interview and case studies.
2
The questionnaire sought to collect netizens’ opinions about the empowerment
effect of ICT and the public’s attitudes towards government regulations and the deci-
sion-making process. Conducting the questionnaire anonymously eases concerns for
Chinese citizens and allows them to express their genuine opinion and experience.
Semi-structured interviews were used to investigate the perspective of the media

market in the triangular interactive relationship in China. Interviewees were chosen
from commercial internet companies, state-owned media enterprises and official me-
dia departments. The diversity of data was guaranteed as the interviewees came from
different organisational backgrounds. The interview explored: the media practitioners’

evaluation of ICTs and online public participation, their knowledge of the government’s
strategy towards the mass social events, and most importantly, their professional views
about the changing relationship among the three elements.
Three social events were chosen for case studies based on their peculiar meaning

in Chinese society, and each had a specific emphasis. The purpose of the case study
was to gather background information and authentic material to elaborate the dynamic
relationships between the three factors. The Sun Zhigang case concerned the issue of

2 Netizens refer to the general internet users.

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